Optical Fiber Ribbon Marking at Controlled Resin Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of identification marks on optical fiber ribbons using conventional methods can lead to increased optical transmission loss, particularly when the temperature of the optical fiber ribbon is not controlled during the application and drying of the marks.
Innovation Solution
A production method for optical fiber ribbons that involves curing a photocurable resin by irradiation with light and forming identification marks using an ink-jet method while maintaining the photocurable resin temperature at 37.3°C or lower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an identification mark is formed on the optical fiber ribbon by ink-jet method immediately after formation, then identifiability is enhanced, but optical transmission loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the temperature of the optical fiber ribbon before the ink-jet marking process. Specifically, the ribbon is cooled to 37.3°C or lower before applying identification marks, which prevents thermal damage to the optical fibers during the marking process while still enabling effective identification.
2Device complexity
If the temperature of the optical fiber ribbon is not controlled during ink application, then the marking process is simpler, but microbends occur in the fibers causing transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature parameter of the optical fiber ribbon during the ink-jet marking process. By maintaining the ribbon temperature at 37.3°C or lower, the patent prevents thermal expansion and microbend formation in the optical fibers, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling effective identification marking.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively suppresses optical transmission loss by controlling the resin temperature, reducing the occurrence of microbends in the fibers.
Implementation Method 1
curing a photocurable resin by irradiating the photocurable resin with light
Implementation Method 2
forming a plurality of identification marks on the cured photocurable resin by applying ink by an ink-jet method
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a production method for producing an optical fiber ribbon that has an identification mark for identification, in which optical transmission loss is unlikely to be caused. A production method for producing an optical fiber cable for achieving the above objective includes: curing a photocurable resin by irradiating the photocurable resin with light, the photocurable resin being disposed to couple together a plurality of single-core coated optical fibers arranged in parallel; and forming a plurality of identification marks on the photocurable resin cured, the forming being performed by applying ink by an ink-jet method, in which the forming the plurality of identification marks is performed in a state in which a temperature of the photocurable resin is lower than or equal to 37.3° C.